Summer Rentals Hot in New England this Year

According to MA real estate offices and property managers interviewed for this article: Lowell Sun Online - Home summer rentals on the Cape, NH, and north (like myGeorgetown Maine cottage) are filling up fast for summer. I would concur that this has been the earliest booking season I've experienced since 1999, though my coastal cottage always fills up for summer by April or May. What is different this year, is that we are filled for June and half of September too, already. Personally, September and October are my favorite times in New England.

Still want to come up to the midcoast? Check out my friend's new cottage on Robinhood Cove and ask for Howard. His cottage is just like mine, but newer, and on a long tidal cove, which is famous for its Robinhood Marina. He's still got some summer availablity, but not for long I'm sure.

Looking for something smaller, or a little less expensive? Try the Back River Bend Cottages on the Back River in Georgetown and ask for Ruth.

Want to be closer to Five Islands Wharf? Then check out the cottages on Gott's Cove run by Sonya. Her husband even runs fishing charters.

Wherever you stay, have fun, and may the sun be shining! There is no place like a cottage in New England. Coastal Maine, NH Lakes, Cape Cod - you choose and you can't lose!

Lake Tahoe Here We Come

Imagine my delight when 6 hours into our drive from OC to Tahoe, my husband reminds me that I can access high speed internet from one of the laptops in the back seat. He borrowed someone's with a Verizon Broadband Wi Fi card (or whatever it is called), and now I'm blogging while he's driving up the I5!

Lucky for me, when I checked my RSS feed from Bloglines, the second article was about there still being time to ski at Lake Tahoe, our destination for today.

I put our ski gear away in January, and thought we wouldn't get it out again until next year. Luckily for me, I received an inquiry a few weeks ago from a fellow vacation rental owner via Great Rentals. I'll be staying at her cabin near Northstar, and she'll use my vacation rental in Palm Desert at a later date!

I'll give you my own review on her Enchanted Cottage and Northstar at Tahoe in a few days.

One week later...

I hadn't been to Lake Tahoe in nearly 15 years. I really can't figure out why I hadn't been back?! The lake is clear and beautiful. The skiing is good and reasonably uncrowded...now with a great place to stay, I've got no excuse.

Our hostess, Marci, made her North Lake Tahoe cottage truly enchanted. The cottage was thoughtfully appointed, appropriately themed and decorated, and perfectly cleaned and stocked. We loved the fireplace, the outdoor hot tub, and the in house washer & dryer. She even had snacks stocked for us after the long drive. I found myself envious of her ability to personalize and welcome each guest uniquely, that comes with living nearby her vacation rentals.

Our skiing at Northstar at Tahoe was typical spring skiing. The top third of the mountain was great packed powder, which turned to mashed potatoes as we moved lower. Northstart has great potential, but the infrastructure just wasn't quite there. It took more than an hour to get from the skiier dropoff to the top of the mountain. The mountain was crowded and the staff was short. Though we enjoyed the mountain, it was certainly evident that they were closing in a few weeks. Regardless, we viewed this trip as a gift! Skiing in mid April - I'll take it.

Unfortunately you won't see us buying and renting out a vacation condo at Northstart any time soon. We took a serious look, but at 1.6 million for one of the least expensive 3 bedroom village units - well, it's out of our league! Let us know if you buy one, we'll stay next time.

Travel: Intrepid Traveler: Fun sleeps that don't cost a fortune

I don't usually blog about real cheap vacations - getting the most for your dollar, yes; good value, yes, but really cheap - no! That said, my 22 year old, recent college graduate, nephew has been staying with us for a few weeks now, while he gains some work experience courtesy of my husband's company, and while he looks for something more permanent. I had nearly forgotten what it was like to truly have no money. Not no money in my pocket, not no money in my checking account, but really no money...that doesn't come from benevolent family members...

I'm starting to remember, and as I recall those times coincided not only with a strong desire to see and do everything, but also with a willingness to bunk with friends, sleep on the floor, share bathrooms, and stay in apartments on top of the train tracks, just to experience life. Along comes this article: Fun sleeps that don't cost a fortune. The article points out and gives you contact information for several US hostels or hostel type accomodations (which are a common way to travel on the cheap in Europe) in great locations. On this little list alone you can find cheap places to sleep in Redwood National Park, Breckenridge Colorado, Cape Cod, and NYC! Too bad I've grown old and cranky and like luxury beds, and private baths too much :)

Hershey Park in April!

I cannot believe Hershey Park is open in April! We visited the great place:Family Vacation idea: Hersheypark in April in July of 2003 as part of 9 week RV adventure from California, to Maine, to California. This was my older daughter's favorite man made stop, by a landslide! Great Park - must go! Ther are fun rides, and something special about that ride through the "Hershey Plant" even if it ends it the biggest chocolate store ever. Have fun and eat a Reese's or two for me. What would it be like to relax in chocolate? Tell me if you stay at the Hotel Hershey!